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Syngenta Makes $100,000 Available for Blender Pumps; Quad County Corn Processors Updates Progress of Iowa’s First Cellulosic Ethanol Production

JOHNSTON, IOWA – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today joined renewable fuels supporters at the Iowa Speedway in Newton to celebrate Quad County Corn Processors’ Adding Cellulosic Ethanol (ACE) technology that produced Iowa’s first gallons of cellulosic ethanol, and Syngenta’s donation of more than $100,000 for blender pump funding that will help make cleaner-burning, homegrown ethanol more widely available to consumers.

“No one can deny the positive impact ethanol has had on rural America, and the good news is we’re not done yet,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Today’s announcements by Syngenta and Quad County Corn Processors outline a powerful combination for rural Iowa’s future – higher ethanol blends and cellulosic feedstocks.  They go hand in glove.  Without higher blends like E15 and E85 you don’t need non-corn starch feedstocks – there’s plenty of corn.  Yet combined, cellulosic feedstocks and higher ethanol blends can lead us to greater economic opportunities and the ability to dramatically reduce our depenedence on foreign oil.  The lynch pin to linking these two opportunities into one is the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  We need the EPA to follow the law and uphold a strong and growing RFS.”

“We’re not only excited to be Iowa’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol producers and RIN generators, we’re also happy to see the ACE process ramp-up to 24/7 production,” stated Quad County Corn Processors CEO Delayne Johnson. “With uncertainty looming around the RFS and the Middle East, now more than ever is a great time to increase plant efficiencies and provide more economical, homegrown ethanol for consumers.”

“Renewable fuels are an essential part of the American energy equation, benefitting consumers, farmers and American energy independence,” stated David Witherspoon, head of Renewable Fuels at Syngenta. “We’re proud to support fuel choice with our donation and help ensure consumers continue to have greater access to renewable fuel blends.”

Iowa is the nation’s leader in renewable fuels production. Iowa has 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing more than 3.8 billion gallons annually, including 2 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol production and two cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association was formed in 2002 to represent the state’s liquid renewable fuels industry. The trade group fosters the development and growth of the renewable fuels industry in Iowa through education, promotion, legislation and infrastructure development.